Top 5 Bass Baits for Summer Dock Fishing

While many baits work well around or beneath docks, there are a handful that have proven very effective for me over the years. These baits vary a bit in terms of style and purpose, but all have features that make them well suited for this scenario.

Here's a quick look at 5 effective baits for catching summer bass around docks and boat houses.

BUZZER BEATER

The War Eagle Buzz Toad 3/8-ounce ($6.59; lurenet.com) has a unique head shape, and the soft-plastic frog trailer has feet that impart excellent action. Skip this bait under boat docks or fish it next to edges and in and around nearby cover.

HAMMER TIME




The Z-Man JackHammer 3/8-ounce ($15.99; zmanfishing.com) delivers maximum vibration, while its head and blade shape help it deflect off cover and skip under docks easily.

JIG JAB

An all-around staple for bass anglers, the All-Terrain Tackle Rattling A.T. Jig ($4.79; allterraintackle.com) is a super- dependable dock offering. I play with a variety of Zoom soft plastic trailers. The Super Chunk, Super Chunk Jr. and a Z-Craw Jr. each offer a different action and profile for bass.

TEXAS TRIO




Take a Zoom Z-Craw ($3.99/8; zoombait.com) and Texas-rig it on a 5/0 TroKar TK133 Pro-V Bend Flippin’ Hook ($7.99/6; eagleclaw. com) behind a 7/16-ounce tungsten weight. The result is a fish-catching machine around docks. Set up this way, the bait’s heavy enough you can pitch it through dock openings to shaded areas, but not so heavy that it makes a big splash entering the water.

WACKY WONDER

For more finesse presentations, or for shallow-water fishing, consider a Zoom Fluke Stick Jr. ($4.39/10; zoombait.com) or Zoom Zlinky ($4.59/10; zoombait.com) wacky- rigged on a 2/0 TroKar TK137 Pro-V Bend Finesse Hook ($5.99/6; eagleclaw.com). If bass are feeding on shad around boat docks, I’ll use the Fluke Stick Jr., as its shad-shaped fork tail offers a unique action.

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